Japanese New Year decorations, Shimekazari

In Japan, the Christmas trees, some of them decorated since mid-November, are immediately removed after Christmas. Their place is taken by the traditional Japanese New Year decorations, symbolic objects with auspicious meanings.

One of the most used Japanese New Year decorations is the shimekazari, a rice straw rope displayed on the door or on the gate, with the role of keeping away the bad spirits. Shimekazari is adorned with zigzag-shaped paper strips called shide, and sometimes with other good luck charms. The shimekazari photographed here has a symbol of longevity, a crane made of Mizuhiki cord.